Neck Pain symptoms can range from a stiff and sore neck that goes away after a few days to persistent pain or neck problems that interfere with your day-to-day activities. Your doctor may use an exam, X-rays and other tests to help find the cause of your neck pain and treat it.
Your neck contains bones and soft tissue structures, like ligaments and tendons, that support the weight of your head. They are surrounded by a fluid-filled cartilage capsule that holds them together.
Several areas inside your neck can become inflamed and painful, including your spinal cord and nerves. Inflammation is the most common cause of chronic neck pain, but it can also be caused by disc degeneration, arthritis and other conditions.
Muscle tightness, tension and stress are other causes of neck pain. These can happen when you spend long periods of time sitting, working or driving and can be eased by adjusting your chair, using a stool by your feet to rest and learning relaxation techniques.
The most effective way to reduce muscle tightness is to exercise regularly, especially with gentle stretching exercises that stretch the muscles in your neck. This can be done by a health care professional, or you can do the exercises yourself at home.
Heat therapy is also a helpful treatment for muscle tightness, particularly when it’s related to a muscle spasm. Applying moist heat to the affected area is a great way to soothe and relax the affected muscles, but be careful not to get it too hot or it can irritate your skin.
You should also try ice as a first-line treatment for neck pain, especially when it’s acute (meaning it occurs suddenly). Wrap an ice pack in a thin towel or cloth and place it on the painful area for 15 minutes every three to four hours.
If ice doesn’t provide relief, your doctor may recommend other forms of heat or anti-inflammatory medication. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or acetaminophen, and muscle relaxants. These are often prescribed by your doctor in conjunction with other treatments, such as physical therapy.
Acupuncture, movement-based therapy and massage are other treatment options that can be used to relieve neck pain. Acupuncture is a Chinese treatment that involves inserting needles into specific points of your body, which can stimulate the flow of energy to your body’s systems.
These treatments can be very helpful in relieving your neck pain, and most of them are safe and well-tolerated when taken as recommended. You can ask your health care provider to refer you to a trained acupuncturist.
Physical therapy is an important component of treatment for many patients with neck pain, and you will likely work with a physical therapist to learn exercises that strengthen and stretch the muscles in your neck. These exercises are designed to reduce your discomfort and help you return to your normal activities.
Steroid injections are another treatment option for people with neck pain, and these are usually a last resort in the treatment of severe pain or if medications do not relieve your condition. These shots are given near the nerve roots to help decrease inflammation and relieve your pain.
